Teacher jailed for sexually abusing teenage girl 20 years ago

An English and drama teacher has been jailed for 20 months after he admitted grooming and sexually abusing a teenage girl.

Andrew Willson, of Church Hill, Hollowell, Northamptonshire, will also have to spend 10 years on the sex offenders’ register after he pleaded guilty to five counts of indecent assault last year at Burnley Crown Court.

The offences took place between 1995 and 1996 while he was a drama teacher at Fearns High School, Bacup. His victim was a girl aged 13.

Det Con Mick Smith, from the East Public Protection Unit, of Lancashire Constabulary, said: “The victim has shown enormous courage in coming forward and reporting these offences to us and I hope today’s result brings her some form of closure and enables her to move forward with her life.

“I also hope the outcome of this case will encourage other victims to come forward and report crimes to the police safe in the knowledge that we are determined to bring those who commit sexual offences to justice, regardless of when they took place.”